As the temperature drops and the air gets drier, our skin often pays the price – Hello, dullness, dehydration, and unwanted flakiness.
While switching to a richer moisturiser might seem like the obvious fix, winter skincare requires a more strategic approach. From choosing the right ingredients to making small but impactful changes in your routine, the right tweaks can make all the difference.
To help you maintain a radiant, well-hydrated complexion all season long, we’ve gathered expert advice from top skincare professionals. Whether it’s mastering hydration, avoiding common mistakes, or finding the perfect winter-friendly products, these tips will keep your skin glowing – even on the chilliest days.
Caci Skincare Educator, Linda Sharrem
What are the biggest mistakes people make with their skincare routine in winter?
Continuing your summer skincare routine. It is important to adjust your skincare just like you change up your wardrobe. In winter we contend with chillier weather and more rain. Your skin wants some extra layers too!
But the biggest mistake is to stop protecting your skin, you need to be wearing SPF every day, in all seasons. It is the no.1 tool you have to take care of your skin health.
How can we keep our skin hydrated and glowing despite the cold, dry air?
I recommend falling in love with a chemical exfoliator to keep on top of dry, flaky skin and give your skin cells a helping hand in their renewal cycle for a fresh, healthy glow. Also add essential fatty acids (EFAs) to your routine! there are a lot of beautiful feeling light weight oils on the market, but of course at Caci we love our skincare to be hard working while also feeling like a treat! We recommend Murad’s Cellular Hydration Repair Oil Drops with hydrating locking omegas and 6 luxe vitamins to enhance your skin barrier defence. Plus make the most of your nights in and add a regular face mask to your routine such as Murad’s Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Mask, this one you pop on and let sink in overnight or even better Skinsmiths LED Facial Mask for some read and blue light therapy at home.
Are there any specific ingredients we should look for (or avoid) in winter skincare products?
EFAs are a must for winter to seal in hydration. Think Hyaluronic acid and shea butter bases for your moisturiser, cream-based cleansers, hydration boosting serums. Unless you are naturally oily avoid moisturisers that are mattifying over winter or using gel cleansers over winter.
What are the ‘holy grail’ products you would recommend?
- Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream
- Murad Hydrating Toner
- Skinsmiths Ultimate Renewal Serum
- Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Oil Drops
- Murad Intensive Recover Cream
Training Manager at Skintopia, Fulvia
What are the biggest mistakes people make with their skincare routine in winter?
One of the biggest mistakes we see is over-exfoliating. When skin starts to feel dry or textured in winter, people tend to reach for their exfoliators rather than their hydrators. But overdoing it can actually weaken the skin barrier, making dryness worse. Instead, focus on hydration and nourishment—your skin will feel much softer and more resilient.
That being said – Winter is actually the perfect time to invest in more advanced professional treatments, like peels. These treatments can deeply rejuvenate the skin without the need for excessive exfoliation at home. By letting the professionals do the heavy lifting, you can maintain a healthy, glowing complexion without compromising your skin’s protective barrier.
Another common mistake? Skipping sunscreen. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the sun isn’t affecting your skin. UV rays are present year-round, even on cloudy days, so daily sunscreen is just as important in winter as it is in summer.
How can we keep our skin hydrated and glowing despite the cold, dry air?
Hydration is key in winter, and that starts with choosing the right moisturiser. We often recommend switching to a richer formula in the colder months. Apply it underneath your sunscreen rather than relying on a 2-in-1 product—this extra layer helps to protect against moisture loss.
Internal hydration is just as important. Drinking plenty of water with an added hydration boost like The Beauty Chef or herbal tea will help keep your skin glowing from the inside out.
Are there any specific ingredients we should look for (or avoid) in winter skincare products?
Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is a must-have for both morning and night—it draws moisture into the skin and keeps it plump and hydrated. Winter is also the perfect time to get really consistent with retinol, since there’s less UV exposure to interfere with its benefits.
In terms of what to avoid, it’s not necessarily about cutting things out completely, but if your skin is feeling extra dry, we’d suggest scaling back on BHA exfoliants like salicylic acid. Instead, opt for a gentler AHA, such as lactic acid, which helps to refine skin texture while boosting hydration.
What are three ‘holy grail’ products you would recommend?
- Dermalogica Circular Hydration
- Dermalogica Intensive Moisture balance
- Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery
Dr Ellen Selkon, Clinic42 Co-Director
What are the biggest mistakes people make with their skincare routine in winter?
Not getting enough moisture! Often you need to use your “night”, more hydrating moisturiser in the morning and night. This however does not mean that you don’t need to use sunblock during the day in winter as you still want to prevent those harsh uv rays penetrating your skin.
Add in an emollient if you live in a cold windy place to really give you some extra love and even though I think hyaluronic in skin care should be used year round, if you don’t definitely add this into your winter routine.
How can we keep our skin hydrated and glowing despite the cold, dry air?
Exfoliation is key here. Using a gentle exfoliation cream to remove all the dead cells that accumulate is essential to keep your skin glowing during the winter months. Environ Youth Mask is amazing at doing this, putting it on the night before and washing it off the next morning (not just for 20 minutes as they recommend). Repeat this 2x per week and keep on top of your moisturising and your skin will glow beautifully. If you’re a fan of Korean skincare , adding in Snail Mucin is the way to go!
Are there any specific ingredients we should look for (or avoid) in winter skincare products?
I am a fan of retinol in skincare and feel using Vitamin A to renew your cellular turnover is essential especially in winter. Using a good sunscreen that’s not drying is essential, brands such as Isdin, Sunsceutic, or Laroche Posay are all good for winter.
Niacinamide or vitamin B3 is a top product to look for in your skin care. It brightens, gives you glow, calms redness and has evidence behind it that it helps prevent certain skin cancers.
Hyaluronic Acid – The go to for moisture any time of year.
What are three ‘holy grail’ products you would recommend?
For me I like picking and choosing different products from different ranges, I couldn’t choose 3 so have given you my 4 winter go to’s!
Retinol 0.3% or 1% from IS Clinical
Niacinamide from Synergie Skin
Reclaim Moisturiser from Synergie Skin
Hyaluronic Concentrate from Isdin Skincare
Halie from Clinic1 Aesthetics
What are the biggest mistakes people make with their skincare routine in winter?
One common mistake we see is switching to a rich moisturiser as their skin dries out but forgetting to exfoliate, we need to remove the build up of old dead skin cells so our products can penetrate and actually hydrate the skin. Using clinical grade enzymes and acids recommended to you are the best way to exfoliate whilst keeping moisture in the skin.
Another big one is ditching the SPF when the colder weather starts. We need to be using daily SPF all year round, rain hail or shine. Significant amounts of UV can pass right through cloud cover and UVA can mostly pass through normal windows damaging your skin.
Winter sports can’t be forgotten as snow can reflect the UV and up to double your UV exposure. SPF is a year long, non negotiable.
How can we keep our skin hydrated and glowing despite the cold, dry air?
-Having a skin consultation to update your skincare for the winter can really help as some skins are really affected by the change of season.
-Incorporating more lipid rich products topically, and adding in an Omega, fatty acid supplement like Recovery from Osmosis can help hydrate your skin internally.
-Drinking more water or even herbal teas when it’s cold it can be hard to drink water, so herbal teas can help that.
-Hydrafacials are a great option in Winter to remove that build up and flood the skin with antioxidants and deep hydration.
Are there any specific ingredients we should look for (or avoid) in winter skincare products?
Winter is a great time for Retinol due to lower UV levels but don’t overdo it as it can really dry out an already dry skin and cause barrier issues.
Hyaluronic and facial oils can really help boost hydration and moisture levels and are great to add in the cooler months if you are not already using them.
What are three ‘holy grail’ products you would recommend?
–Sheald recovery balm by IS Clinical, my most beloved, super calming, moisture rich balm, perfect for dry winter skin. It works overtime repairing distressed skin without feeling greasy or clogging skin.
–Immerse by Osmosis, a powerful antioxidant rich oil to promote healing and combat dryness. It will help to restore the skins barrier whilst feeling and smelling divine.
–Active Peel System from IS Clinical for powerful but gentle resurfacing, while providing deep hydration and antioxidant protection